Marini Replaces Marini

I had my doubts that it would actually happen, but it is now official.

This morning Pope Benedict XVI

- Appointed Archbishop Piero Marini, master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, as president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.

- Appointed Fr. Guido Marini of the clergy of the archdiocese of Genoa, Italy, as master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations.

To get used to the new change, click on Piero's picture.

This may rile some in the blogosphere, but I am disappointed in Archbishop Marini's new assignment. I think he deserves something much better.

Photo credits: Piero Marini photo by Domini Sumus

Guido Marini Photo from Andrea Tornielli

No, Not That Marini

It has been reported on another blog that Archbishop Piero Marini, the papal Master of Ceremonies was going to become Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. It seems there has been a bit of confusion about which Marini is getting the job. It's Mario Marini, not Piero Marini.

Here is the official announcement.

NOMINA DEL SEGRETARIO AGGIUNTO DELLA PONTIFICIA COMMISSIONE "ECCLESIA DEI"
Per mandato del Santo Padre, l’Em.mo Card. Darío Cástrillón Hoyos, Presidente della Pontificia Commissione "Ecclesia Dei" ha nominato Segretario Aggiunto della medesima Pontificia Commissione il Rev.do Mons. Mario Marini.

Archbishop Marini Writes New Book

Archbishop Piero Marini has written a new book which is being published by Liturgical Press. The book, which is scheduled to be released in November 2007, is in titled A Challenging Reform: Realizing the Vision of the Liturgical Renewal.

Here is the publisher's decription:

In these pages Archbishop Piero Marini reveals the vision, courage, and faith of the pastors and scholars who struggled to implement the Second Vatican Council’s teachings on the liturgy. While in some circles it is fashionable to propose “a reform of the liturgical reform,” any such revision needs to take into account the history of the consilium—the organism established by the Holy See to carry out the initial liturgical changes. This story of the work of the consilium offers a fascinating glimpse into the struggles and tensions that accompanied the realization of the council's dream to promote the "full, conscious and active participation" of the faithful in Roman Catholic worship

Whaddya think?

Also, there is another book which he released last year titled,
SERVING THE PEOPLE OF GOD: Remembering Sacrosanctum Concilium. This book was published by Novalis who describes the book as follows:

Recommended reading for pastors and everyone involved in the liturgical life of the church.

As the Master of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, Archbishop Piero Marini has a unique insight into the meaning and purpose of liturgy. He has been at the right hand first of Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI during all the major liturgical celebrations at the Vatican and at important observances around the world.

In Serving the People of God, Archbishop Marini offers an insightful perspective on the nature of liturgical celebrations and their role in the glorification of God and the sanctification of the faithful.

This book is for priests and anyone involved in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Marini examines the development of liturgy in the light of one of the key documents of the Second Vatican Council: Sacrosanctum Concilium, promulgated in 1963.

My last bit of Archbishop Marini news is Rocco's speculation that the archbishop will become the Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. It would be interesting if it happened.

Rome - Day Four - The Consistory

This post is giving me nothing but problems. I have attempted to post it 6 times. One time it worked but without all the pictures. Then I tried to fix it and ended up losing everything so I have to start all over again. I am frustrated.

Friday, March 24, 2006 was the day of the consistory and the surrounding receptions. It was absolutely exhausted, and exhilirating all at the same time.

Our day started early this morning at 5 am. Thankfully, the clothes that we sent to the laundry to be pressed came back perfect. We tried to get washed and ready in the incredibly small bathroom and "cell". We kept tripping over each other.

Piazza Sant' Ufficio

Somehow we did get ready and by 6:30 we were having breakfast. At 7 I looked out the window and saw that people were already beginning to line up to for the consistory. So, we left the hotel and joined the 40-50 people who were waiting in line. As we waited we watched the people who work in the Vatican coming to work through the Piazza Sant' Ufficio and the various delivery trucks coming to make their deliveries. The Americans who were in line were fascinated to see a Coca-Cola truck delivering to the Vatican. We were all freezing cold and hoping that it wouldn't rain. The skies were threatening and there were occasional rumbles of thunder. Fortunately, the rain held off until the consistory ended. Then the downpour began.

Within 20 minutes the line of 50 had become a massive crowd of several thousand which kept growing.

The barricade was opened at 8:30 and we were sent through security. We walked though metal detectors and our bags were x-rayed. People started pushing and running to get ahead, but the Swiss Guard and Vatican Police put a stop to that. Several guards called out to people, "Remember you ARE in church!" Some people who tried to force their way to good seats were detained by the guards and made to wait a few minutes.

We found some excellent seats in the middle of the first row. We were right next to the television camera. In the section in front of us, there were a few rows reserved for the cardinal’s families and visiting heads of state.

Archbishop Marini rehearsing with the servers

The square was buzzing with activity as gardeners made last minute changes to flowers. They even laid sod. Altar servers rehearsed under Archbishop Marini’s careful direction. Microphones were tested, furniture was repositioned and red hats were counted.

The Cardinals-elect

The choir stood against the wall of St. Peter’s and was almost not able to be seen. The monsignori sat on the left, behind the Holy Father. The Cardinals were in front of them and the bishops were in front of them sitting slightly askew.
The Gentlemen of the Vatican and their wives sat on the right along with more bishops.

Cardinal-Elect O'Malley

The new cardinals processed from the Apostolic Palace to the sagrato of the basilica. Seeing Bishop Sean in his cardinatial robes was such a moving experience brought me to tears. Literally tears of joy. He sat on the sagrato, directly in front of us. I was surprised when he noticed us and waved.

Pope Benedict walking to his chair

It wasn't long before Pope Benedict appeared in procession from the central doors of the basilica. The organ and choir sounded beautiful. Actually, the entire liturgy was spectacular.

The moment!

The new cardinal

One of the moments which caused a outpouring of emotion was when Cardinal Dery, from Ghana, was carried up the steps to the pope in his wheelchair. Pope Benedict rose, leaned down and embraced him. It was a loving, tender gesture of love and respect towards the 87 year old cardinal which got a huge "Awwww!" from the congregation.

After the liturgy, we left the square along with the massive crowd. We returned quickly to our hotel for a few minutes then headed to the Pontifical North American College. It was a short walk through a tunnel, a parking garage and a hill. Once we got to the PNAC we were surrounded by familiar faces. It was nice to see so many people from the Diocese of Fall River. There were also many people from the Archdiocese of Washington, where Cardinal O'Malley served as a priest for many years, and from the Diocese of Palm Beach.

The reception was in honor of both Cardinal O'Malley and Cardinal Levada, so there were many people from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Several of the people at our table were from San Francisco and three others were theology students at the Angelicum. Since it is a Friday of Lent, lunch was eggs every which way and pasta.

William Cardinal Levada

After we ate, we joined the lines to greet both Cardinal O'Malley and Cardinal Levada. I must admit to being nervous to speak with the successor of Cardinal Ratzinger. However, he was very nice. I don't know what I was afraid of. It's not like I have never talked with a cardinal before, but it is the first time I have talked with anyone who works so closely with the pope.

Photos by Domini Sumus

The End of An Era?

Is Archbishop Marini really leaving his post at Papal Master of Ceremonies/Director of Liturgy?

According to Msgr. Michael Schmitz, Provincial Superior for the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest, the answer is "yes". Envoy Magazine is reporting that the unofficial announcement was made February 19th by Msgr. Schmitz during an hour long talk on the renewal of the Sacred Liturgy in McLean, Virginia

Another notable newsworthy item that Msgr. Schmitz delivered at his February 19, hour-long presentation during the question-and-answer period was that Archbishop Piero Marini, whom many had speculated would have been removed long ago, has finally accepted another assignment.

“The Pope is before all else, a gentlemen,” Msgr. Schmitz said, clarifying for many Catholics in the room why this particular step has taken as long as it has. Vaticanists have expected this move ever since the beginning of Pope Benedict’s pontificate. Msgr. Schmitz did not give any details as to the nature of Archbishop Marini’s new assignment.